Attitudes toward health care must change

March 09, 2010

When I pull into the gas station, I don't worry about the price of fuel because I have auto insurance. My auto insurance policy is all inclusive; not only does it pay for all my fuel (prescription drugs), but when I take my car in for inspection (physical exam) or repairs (doctor visit for illness or injury), all I have to pay is a $20 co-pay. When I need new tires, no problem; my auto insurance covers it. New brakes; covered. New muffler; covered. If I have an accident ( heart attack or stroke), I have no worries since the costs of all repairs are completely covered.

Ridiculous? How much do you think such an auto insurance policy would cost? How many times have you heard people complain that they do not want to file a claim with their auto insurance company because they fear their rates will go up? Yet we are all too eager to allow someone else to foot the bill for a health insurance policy that does all of the above and more.

Until we Americans change our attitudes about health insurance and look to a health insurance policy as something that exists to protect us from a catastrophic event instead of everyday general health maintenance needs like we do now, the cost of health insurance and health care will continue to skyrocket and continue to be out of reach for the average American. Shifting the burden of health care to the government is a big mistake.